The United Nations (UN) has adopted a human rights-based approach (HRBA) since the 1990s and tries to promote all human rights through its various development projects. Human rights aim at realizing the inherent dignity of all human beings, which is also targeted by human security. This article analyzes the effectiveness of an HRBA as a measure for human security through examining the case of Kyrgyzstan. The right to adequate housing is defined as everyone’s right to obtain a secure home and community in which to live in peace and dignity. Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has shifted to a free market economy and faces issues of urban migration, poverty, privatization, and ethnic conflicts. These factors result in housing problems for vulnerable groups such as low-income families, the disabled, ethnic minorities, women, and children. Informal settlements on urban peripheries have faced forced eviction, resulting in homelessness. Lack of adequate housing increases insecurity in the society and becomes a potential trigger of conflicts. The UN has supported the government to enhance its capability through technical assistance and the encouragement of the incorporation of international human rights standards. Progress has been made in implementing the right to adequate housing. Nevertheless, respect of the state’s sovereignty and facilitation of economic growth are indispensable to fully achieve the right. The Kyrgyzstan case indicates that an HRBA is an effective measure for peacebuilding, development, and realization of an inherent dignity, namely, human security; however, its implementation needs to overcome existing constraints. Keywords: The right to adequate housing, human rights-based approach, human security, urban poverty, Kyrgyzstan
